Crime Detective Mystery Thriller Group discussion

hello
I've just joined the group and would like to say to everyone in the group.
I wonder whether anyone would be happy to share their thoughts on true crime with me for my uni. project.
I've got a couple of questions and wonder whether anyone could give me any feedback.
1. What is so compelling about the true crime genre, why do you enjoy reading it?
2. What are the ingredients of a great true crime book?
3. How do you chose your next title, is it by type of crime/criminal, historical era, high profile case?
Any feedback would be fab. Thanks Nicky

Hi Nicky,

I blog about true crime because to write my crime thrillers I did a lot of research on serial killers and stalkers.

Although I've read a few full length true crime books, I mostly read news articles, most of them newspaper or magazine articles. I recently published several of my blog posts as a two volume ebook [http://darkdeeds.susanfleet.com/dark_...]

For me, the most compelling parts of a novel are the characters. Same with true crime. I want to know as much as possible about the victims and the perpetrator, especially any possible motivations and/or causes that made him/her commit the crime.

In addition to serial killer and stalker cases, I also write about domestic homicides, mostly because there are so many of them, which appalls me.

Nicky wrote: "hello
I've just joined the group and would like to say to everyone in the group.
I wonder whether anyone would be happy to share their thoughts on true crime with me for my uni. project.
I've got..."

Hi Nicky! Welcome to the group! I like to read True Crime to see how the investigators finally solved the crime. It's hard to read True Crime because we can't tell ourselves this is just a story. This really happened and so some of the fascination is morbid curiosity. It's terrifying to think our next door neighbor might be a serial rapist or mass murderer. Getting an inside look into the mind of a real criminal is both horrifying and fascinating. Maybe we think that the more we know about the criminal we may be able to spot a killer in our midst.

I don't read a lot of true crime but I do delve into it from time to time. Mainly. I like reading historical crimes as opposed to the present day.

1st True Crime I ever read was Gerold Frank's The Boston Strangler around the age of 16.

Also loved Ann Rule's original Ted Bundy account The Stranger Beside Me Ted Bundy The Shocking Inside Story -my 2nd True-Crime read.

I like macabre fiction and nothing says macabre (or psycho-terror) like Maury Terry's speculative entry into the field The Ultimate Evil The Truth about the Cult Murders Son of Sam and Beyond or Harold Schechter's various studies of homicidal maniacs, particularly Deviant The Shocking True Story of Ed Gein the Original Psycho and Deranged The Shocking True Story of America's Most Fiendish Killer

Of particular "true-crime" interest: Steve Hodel's Black Dahlia Avenger (with James Ellory -author of the ultimate Black Dahlia true-crime based novel The Black Dahlia).

Still wrote: "1st True Crime I ever read was Gerold Frank's The Boston Strangler around the age of 16."

Interesting you read that book. I grew up near Boston and that case always fascinated me. Now I write crime fiction and blog about true crime. I blogged about the Strangler case. http://darkdeeds.susanfleet.com/blog_...-...

I included an expanded version about the case in my DARK DEEDS ebook, Vol 1.

I may have read the G. Frank book years ago. However, for my blog I mainly relied upon newspaper articles and a more recent book by Susan Kelly, a Boston writer whom I knew. It's a fascinating case. Most law enforcement officials now believe there was more than one "Boston Strangler."

Susan wrote: "Still wrote: "1st True Crime I ever read was Gerold Frank's The Boston Strangler around the age of 16."

Interesting you read that book. I grew up near Boston and that case always fasc..."

Frank's book is not as cutting edge (no pun, etc) as it was when 1st published and I agree -more than one Strangler involved.
Looking forward to checking out your blog entry.

Pun all you want, Still. Just don't tie a bow under my neck! :)

I am presently trying to write a review of Robert Kolker's Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery. Read it over a month ago but my feelings seem to be all over the place. Usually a true crime book focusses either on the killer or on the investigation. In this case the killer is still unfound & the police seem to be withholding lots that they should know. It is the victims themselves who are so haunting. They've a following on Facebook.

Probably morbid curiosity. My favorite author of true crime is Gregg Olsen. Currently have his new book, If I Can't Have You: Susan Powell, Her Mysterious Disappearance, and the Murder of Her Children on hold at the library.

Two of his best are Starvation Heights: A True Story of Murder and Malice in the Woods of the Pacific Northwest and A Twisted Faith: A Minister's Obsession and the Murder That Destroyed a Church

I don't read true crime.

I like non-fiction and some true crime. Will be reading Mob Over Miami soon by Michele McPhee. Some celebrities are in the book such as Sophia Vergara and Madonna.

Not a big reader of true crime, but having said that, i have a few (unread) True Crime novels. They are way down on my TBR list.

Just posted my review of Lost Girls to Goodreads & realized in the process of writing it that the reason I read true crime books like that is to honor the memories of the victims.

Mike, I agree that often it's the desire to know how the criminal was caught. Sometimes it reads like a mystery. And yes, truth is often stranger than fiction. I write crime fiction, but began blogging about true crime cases because I did so much research I figured I might as well put it to good use. I start with one of the victims and proceed from there, giving as much background on the victims as I can find, add a biography of the criminal, indicating any psychological quirks if any, and end with the disposition of the case, the trial outcome and the impact statements of the victims' families.

I rarely read True Crime either, but my husband and I have gotten into a phase of watching some televised true crime and true forensic stories on Netflix Streaming.
Sometimes it is too much, so sad and haunting, but there are so many lessons to be learned too, and the forensic aspect can be amazing - much better than CSI in my opinion! Especially fascinating are the cold case files solved a decade or more later when dna or other testing has evolved - and the history behind these methods, wow.
I never knew the 1st case solved by fingerprints was over a hundred and ten years ago - in Argentina.

Much, much better! My mom and I are hooked on shows like on Investigation Discovery. I refuse to watch CSI. CSI techs don't carry guns, they don't question suspects, arrggh!!

At least Scully was an FBI Agent AND a pathologist.

One of my favorite shows is The First 48 on A&E.

True Crime seems to be popular on CNN Headline news. I tried to watch it there but couldn't get into it.

I got hooked after reading Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder about Diane Downes. Her father lived two houses away from my parents and I'd met Diane and knew her in passing. After that, I always had at least one in my TBR stack. I've gotten out of the habit, but maybe I'll drop back into it since I'm hearing about some great books here.

I've never been a big fan of Criminal Minds. I guess this is just another way of going the CSI route and true crime books show this. Interesting.

I actually liked Criminal Minds. The CSI shows just aggravate me. I prefer the Brit mystery series Sherlock, Endeavour, etc. The First 48 on A&E and Lt Kenda on DiscoveryID are excellent for non-drama!

I don't care much for CSI shows either. However, I do like 48 Hours and shows like that because they tell the whole story, filling in the life of the victim(s), allowing their survivors to speak and some even have interviews with the killer.

I'm with Mike and gave up on Criminal Minds. I have enough graphic stuff in my head to last a life time, I don't care to see it as overdone as they went to. I watch the First 48 and love the After the First 48 episodes. What an eye-opener some of those are. Living in Tucson, I became a devoted watcher of Border Wars. And now we're off topic completely. lol

I haven't looked at John Douglas' books yet. Those might be interesting, and helpful.

Just the pace of reading makes it better. Even though some stories appear too unrealistic, there is some pulling factor.

I have at least two of the John Douglas books. He goes into much detail about certain cases. Robert Ressler, another former FBI profiler has also written many books about serial killers and rapists.

Yes,but it depends on what it is..Now Gohn Grisham has a true crime novel out..its his only one and its called Innocent Man..I think?Its been a while since I read it.Now that book was really good!But I have read In Cold Blood,and a few others from long ago.It just depends.

In Cold Blood is excellent. Did you see the movie with Phillip Seymour Hoffman?

Yes,I did myself and it was excellent Susan:))How about you?

Yes, I did. I thought the movie was terrific, mostly because the acting was first rate. Hard to believe Phillip S. Hoffman is no longer with us. I saw Most Wanted Man (based on the John LeCarre novel) two weeks ago. Very dark of course, but fabulous all the same.

Ohhh,I want to see that movie Susan!!!

I used to read a lot of true crimes stories by Anne Rule. After reading a true crime book I said to myself that there are people out in the world that have it worse then me.

Marian wrote: "Ohhh,I want to see that movie Susan!!!"

I saw the movie and enjoyed it. Will miss Phillip Hoffman.

Chris wrote: "I used to read a lot of true crimes stories by Anne Rule. After reading a true crime book I said to myself that there are people out in the world that have it worse then me."

I read her a long time ago. Brings back memories. Possession. I'll have to look at her again.

Ron wrote: "Chris wrote: "I used to read a lot of true crimes stories by Anne Rule. After reading a true crime book I said to myself that there are people out in the world that have it worse then me."

I read ..."

I think she also has a daughter who writes books.

Ron wrote: "Marian wrote: "Ohhh,I want to see that movie Susan!!!"

I saw the movie and enjoyed it. Will miss Phillip Hoffman."

Me, too. It was a terrific movie. But there are so many "kiddie" movies coming out, you better see it quick before it's gone!

Some months ago I read the 'So Brilliantly Clever: Parker, Hulme and the Murder that Shocked the World' story, about the early life shocking experience of the conviction of Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme for the murder of Parker's mother in New Zealand. Hulme changed her name afterwards; she is the novelist Anne Perry.

It is a well written book and illustrates for me something I have found in a lot of 'true crime' fiction; the elements are all 'loose ends' pulled together in the best (or worst, depending on which side of the dock you are on) explanation of the event. Whereas a lot of fictional crime stories have a clear structure that unfolds with some loose ends.

I think that is what I like best about true crime books that I read from time to time.

Oh my gosh I could go on and on about this topic. The human mind boggles me and why some snap and some don't. I think I really got into true crime about the time Susan Smith drowned her babies.And The Betty Broderick Story. And most of all Scott peterson . Not laci's husband. the Cop who killed both wives, now he was something. He is never going to give up where they are.

I like to read them so I can see both sides. I sympathize with these victims families and what they have too endure.

Bill wrote: "I am presently trying to write a review of Robert Kolker's Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery. Read it over a month ago but my feelings seem to be all over the place. Usually a true crime boo..."

Bill, I still cant believe they havent caught the killer. Something is not adding up and fishy. Wasn't there a prostitute/call girl whom got away running from this guys house and she was never found? I dont know why they havent looked at him more closely. Something happened in that house that scared her badly.

I read a portion of that, DianeAlice, must get the book and read all of it. In the meantime, I'll recommend an equally chilling book about two teenagers. Judgment Ridge: The True Story Behind the Dartmouth Murders These two boys decided to kill someone and chose the two Dartmouth profs at random, just went to their door, talked their way inside and murdered them.

I've got Columbine on my wish list. It's really sad how many teenaged boys go on a rampage and kill people. The kid who killed three people in 2012 escaped from jail, but was captured within 24 hours, much to the relief of community residents.

I don't really read true crime but I do want to read Crimson Stain by Jim Fisher . This tragedy happened only miles from where I lived and raised my children. My daughter actually told me about this book, she was a child when it happened but remembers all the news on the killing. She actually read the book and she is not much of a bookworm. My entire family including my grown children still live in a nearby town.

I think reading books about places we've been is always compelling.

The best video on true crime was this link on the O.J trial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbKgE...

He was a stone cold killer/in my opinion.

Marian wrote: "The best video on true crime was this link on the O.J trial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbKgE...

He was a stone cold killer/in my opinion."

I agree.

I joke with my husband and tell him that before we were married, I loved to read romance novels. After we were married, I love reading true crime or murder mystery novels. I like reading about crime because I write about crime and murder. I think it's our human nature to be intrigued by a puzzle and I find that truth is stranger than fiction - and also more entertaining!

Has anybody here read the true crime novel"The Stranger Beside Me" by Ann Rule?

When Ann Rule was assigned to write a book about the as-of-yet unsolved murders of multiple women, she had no idea that the culprit would end up being someone she knew. When Ted Bundy was arrested and tried for the murders, Rule was so shocked that she hurried "to the ladies room and [threw] up." It turns out that she knew Bundy when they worked together at a suicide hotline; they were friends. It doesn't get much more unnerving than that.

Marian wrote: "Has anybody here read the true crime novel"The Stranger Beside Me" by Ann Rule?

When Ann Rule was assigned to write a book about the as-of-yet unsolved murders of multiple women, she had no idea ..."

I only read Possession which I enjoyed many years ago. I'll look into this one.

C. wrote: "I joke with my husband and tell him that before we were married, I loved to read romance novels. After we were married, I love reading true crime or murder mystery novels. I like reading about crim..."

I can see that.

49 Marian wrote: "Has anybody here read the true crime novel"The Stranger Beside Me" by Ann Rule?


Being one of my first true-crime books, yes, it is a very personal account of meeting a serial-killer. But reading other books about the case, I realized that her description of the police work was too sugarcoated. The investigation was botched and took way too long, in the end it was pure luck catching him, and even then he escaped once easily. Still for her personal befriending Ted Bundy worth reading.

I think I have read everything Ann Rule has even written. I snag it up.

C. wrote: "I joke with my husband and tell him that before we were married, I loved to read romance novels. After we were married, I love reading true crime or murder mystery novels. I like reading about crim..."

I agree! Truth really is stranger than fiction. If you wrote some of these stories in a novel, no one would believe it.